Twelve-year-old Glenbrook student Andrew Laycock is off to represent NSW in the All Schools National Cross Country championships to be held in Canberra on the weekend.
Andrew is one of five selected to represent NSW after placing 4th at the state cross country carnival in July. His fellow Mountains’ student, Daniel Kelly, from Katoomba High, came 5th and will also be competing in Canberra.
"It was a tough race" said Andrew, "and the track was very muddy because it had rained for two days before the race.
“The first four hundred metres was probably the toughest because you’re trying to keep the lead runners in sight and run through all the puddles and mud. By the time I got to the first hill I had already started picking off some runners. I made sure I stayed strong and focused and kept up my pace."
Andrew is very dedicated and had been training hard for the state championships and thought that he would do well, but when he rounded the home straight and was hustling between 3rd and 4th place he knew he was off to the nationals.
"It was a tight race with only three seconds between 2nd and 4th places" said Andrew. "It was good because two Sydney West students placed for selection."
Andrew, a year 6 student, said he was very excited to be able to represent NSW and feels that he is “going out with a bang" as he is off to high school next year.
"I know it will all sink in when I pick up my representative uniform and head down to Canberra," he said.
"It sounds like a mini Olympics, with an opening and closing ceremony and other activities over the weekend. I know the race will be a tough one because I will be up against the nation’s best runners but it will be well worth the experience".
The national championships will be held over four days from August 19-22..